Ethics Flashcards
What are the BPS Code of Ethics & Conduct (2009)?
Guidelines research with people in the UK has to meet so people are safe and protected from mistreatment
What is the essay plan for the Ethics essay?
SPA 1986
Bad: Specieism
Good: Application to real life
Respect
Challenged by: HM case study
Responsibility and Competence
Challenged by: Milgram
Integrity
Challenged by: Sherif et al
What is the Scientific Procedures Act of 1986?
An Act to make new provisions for
the protection of animals used for experimental and scientific purposes
What are the 3 ethical principles of psychological research involving animals?
Replacement:
+ A testing strategy not involving animals must be used whenever possible
+ The use of endangered species must be appropriately justified
Refinement:
Animals must be given:
+ An adequate diet
+ A space with light and temperature that assimilates their natural habitat
+ Eliminates or reduces to the minimum any possible pain
Reduction - the number of animals used must be reduced to a minimum
How is speciesism an ethical limitation of using animals in psychological research? (3 points)
“Specieism” - a term coined by Ryder and subsequently explained by Singer
“It is morally wrong to discriminate species of animals, as it is equally wrong to discriminate different races and genders” - Singer
Animals’ nervous systems contain the same biochemicals that we know are associated with the experience of pain and pleasure in ourselves
How are the benefits outweighing costs an ethical benefit of using animals in psychological research? (4 points)
In Pavlov’s study, 35 dogs had pipes surgically inserted into their mouths to objectively measure the volume of saliva
The dogs were also tied up and left alone for long periods of time - caused them severe stress and unjust suffering
To investigate operant conditioning, Skinner caged rats and pigeons and gave consequences for voluntary behaviours such as electric shocks
CC & OC have led to successful phobia treatments such as flooding and systematic desensitisation that have improved the lives of individuals and society
Define the principle of Respect. (3 points)
Researchers need to gain consent (either informed or presumptive) for each participant to partake in research
Psychologists must maintain confidentiality of the participant’s identity
E.g. use pseudonyms, and ensure the privacy of participants by not undertaking research in their homes
Respect must be shown to participants by giving them the right to withdraw from research at any time they wish
How did the HM case study violate the principle of Respect? (5 points)
HM suffered from epilepsy from birth and eventually underwent a bilateral MTL resection as a treatment
This caused him to not be able to form any new declarative long-term memories - his memory is up to 30 seconds
This meant that he could not truly give informed consent or know he had a right to withdraw, as he would not be able to remember
His confidentiality was also violated in the study as it took place in his home and the case gained so much public attention that his pseudonym failed to protect his identity
Despite this, the case study has many useful applications - surgeons are now aware of the consequences of bilateral MTL resections
Define the principle of Responsibility. (3 points)
It is the researchers’ responsibility to protect participants from harm - they should leave the study in the same physical and psychological state in which they arrived at the study
Psychologists need to provide a risk assessment before designing and implementing a study
This is to ensure researchers, confederates and participants are all safe and there are no foreseeable adverse effects from the study
Define the principle of Competence.
The psychologists being able carry out the research and weigh up the cost and benefits of the research
How does Milgram’s study violate the principles of Responsibility and Competence? (4 points)
Participants clearly demonstrated moral strain as they were weeping and trembling - not protected from psychological harm
However, the findings of the study had very useful applications - explains war crimes such as Abu Ghraib and Nazi Germany, which can help prevent them from reoccurring in the future
However, repeating the study in the
present-day will unlikely gain ethical clearance, due to the cost of protection from harm outweighing the value the conclusions will add to what is already known
Considering these positive applications of HM and Milgram, the ethical considerations of respect and competence have been met in social and cognitive research
Define the principle of Integrity. (3 points)
Acting with honesty and fairness
Researchers often look to deceive participants from the true aim of the study to remove demand characteristics
A comprehensive debrief, stating the true aims and purpose of the study must be given
How did Sherif’s Robber’s Cave study violate the principle of Integrity? (4 points)
The 22 boys were not fully informed they were taking part in a psychological study - deceived them to be at a normal summer camp
Sherif intentionally introduced inter-group conflict with physical activities, resulting in verbal abuse e.g., name-calling like ‘sneak and stinker’
Sherif justified the deception as necessary by saying it prevented demand characteristics from weakening the internal validity of the study
Therefore, treating participants without integrity by not avoiding deception can be practical - protects valid psychological conclusions
What is the conclusion to your ethics essay? (3 points)
The BPS code of conduct and SPA are sound guiding principles which pertain to psychological research being ethical
The most important ethical consideration is the Competence of the psychologists to weigh up the cost-benefit analysis
Whether the study brings novel conclusions that contribute to understanding behaviour that improves
the lives of individuals/society
